State ban outlawing political contributions from gaming industry overturned
A federal court has overturned the state's ban on political contributions from people involved in the gaming industry, throwing out a law aimed at curbing the influence of casino interests.
The suit was brought by Pasquale “Pat” Deon Sr., a Bucks County businessman and chairman of the SEPTA board who is also a major shareholder in the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem. Mr. Deon was joined by Maggie Hardy Magerko, owner of 84 Lumber, who is a beneficiary of the trust that owns Lady Luck Casino Nemacolin in Fayette County.
U.S. District Judge Sylvia H. Rambo, sitting in Harrisburg, ruled Tuesday that the Pennsylvania Gaming Act of 2004 unconstitutionally abrogates the First Amendment rights of Mr. Deon and Ms. Magerko and "those similarly situated" by banning them from making political contributions.
The suit named the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board and Attorney General Josh Shapiro as defendants. The PGCB denied the allegations and claimed the burden the ban placed on Mr. Deon and Ms. Magerko was minimal.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2018/09/19/State-ban-outlawing-political-contributions-from-gaming-industry-overturned/stories/201809190169